Electronic device, control method, and storage medium storing control program

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect, an electronic device includes a first face, a second face, a display unit arranged on the first surface, a notification unit arranged on the second surface, an attitude detecting unit, and a control unit. The attitude detecting unit detects whether attitude of the electronic device is a first attitude, in which the first surface faces upward in the vertical direction, or a second attitude, in which the first surface faces downward in the vertical direction. When the attitude detecting unit detects the second attitude, the control unit prevents displaying on the display unit and enables the notification unit to give a notification.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/300,939 filed on Jun. 10, 2014, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/422,067 filed on Mar. 16, 2012,which claims priority from Japanese Application No. 2011-058555, filedon Mar. 16, 2011, and Japanese Application No. 2011-067928, filed onMar. 25, 2011. The disclosures of all of the above-listed prior-filedapplications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, a controlmethod, and a storage medium storing therein a control program.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, in the field of electronic devices, such as mobile phones,personal digital assistants (PDA), and digital cameras, in order to makesmall mobile electronic devices that allow intuitive operations and donot need equipment that physically occupies a large area, such as akeyboard, touch panels that function as both display units and operatingunits have become widely used (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-openNo. 2010-39772).

there is a need for an electronic device, a control method, and acontrol program capable of giving information to the user.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, an electronic device includes a first face, asecond face, a display unit arranged on the first surface, anotification unit arranged on the second surface, an attitude detectingunit, and a control unit. The attitude detecting unit detects whetherattitude of the electronic device is a first attitude, in which thefirst surface faces upward in the vertical direction, or a secondattitude, in which the first surface faces downward in the verticaldirection. When the attitude detecting unit detects the second attitude,the control unit prevents displaying on the display unit and enables thenotification unit to give a notification.

According to another aspect, an electronic device includes a firstsurface, a display unit arranged on the first surface, a shielded-statedetecting unit, and a control unit. The shielded-state detecting unitdetects whether the display unit is shielded. When an event occursduring a low power consumption mode, the control unit maintains the lowpower consumption mode if the shielded-state detecting unit detects thatthe display unit is shielded, and sets the low power consumption modeoff if the shielded-state detecting unit detects that the display unitis not shielded.

According to another aspect, a control method is a method forcontrolling an electronic device that includes a first surface; a secondsurface; a display unit arranged on the first surface; a notificationunit arranged on the second surface; and an attitude detecting unit. Themethod includes: detecting, by the attitude detecting unit, whether theattitude is a first attitude, in which the first surface faces upward inthe vertical direction, or a second attitude, in which the first surfacefaces downward in the vertical direction; and preventing displaying onthe display unit and enabling the notification unit to give anotification when the second attitude is detected.

According to another aspect, a control method is a method forcontrolling an electronic device that includes a display unit and ashielded-state detecting. The method includes: setting a low powerconsumption mode on; raising an event; detecting by the shielded-statedetecting unit whether the display unit is shielded; maintaining the lowpower consumption mode when it is detected, by the detecting after theraising, that the display unit is shielded; and setting the low powerconsumption mode off when it is detected, by the detecting after theraising, that the display unit is not shielded.

According to another aspect, a non-transitory storage medium storestherein a control program. When executed by an electronic device thatincludes a first surface; a second surface; a display unit arranged onthe first surface; a notification unit arranged on the second surface;and an attitude detecting unit, the control program causes theelectronic device to execute: detecting, by the attitude detecting unit,whether the attitude is a first attitude, in which the first surfacefaces upward in the vertical direction, or a second attitude, in whichthe first surface faces downward in the vertical direction; andpreventing displaying on the display unit and enabling the notificationunit to give a notification when the second attitude is detected.

According to another aspect, a non-transitory storage medium storestherein a control program. When executed by an electronic device thatincludes a display unit and a shielded-state detecting, the controlprogram causes the electronic device to execute: setting a low powerconsumption mode on; raising an event; detecting by the shielded-statedetecting unit whether the display unit is shielded; maintaining the lowpower consumption mode when it is detected, by the detecting after theraising, that the display unit is shielded; and setting the low powerconsumption mode off when it is detected, by the detecting after theraising, that the display unit is not shielded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile phone according to a firstembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the mobile phone;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the mobile phone;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the mobile phone;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the mobile phone;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the mobile phone;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the mobile phone;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the mobile phone;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the mobile phone;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mobile phone according to a secondembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the mobile phone;

FIG. 12 is a back view of the mobile phone;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the mobile phone;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performedduring a low power consumption mode;

FIG. 15 is a back view of a mobile phone according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the mobile phone;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performedduring a low power consumption mode;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a mobile phone according to a fourthembodiment; and

FIG. 19 a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performedduring a low power consumption mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detailbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be notedthat the present invention is not limited to the following explanation.In addition, this disclosure encompasses not only the componentsspecifically described in the explanation below, but also those whichwould be apparent to persons ordinarily skilled in the art, upon readingthis disclosure, as being interchangeable with or equivalent to thespecifically described components.

Although, in the following explanation, a mobile phone is used as anexample of an electronic device, applications of the present inventionare not limited to mobile phones. The present invention is applicablefor any other electronic devices that a user can change its orientation,but not limited to personal handyphone systems (PHS), personal digitalassistants (PDA), portable navigation units, personal computers(including but not limited to tablet computers, netbooks etc.), mediaplayers, portable electronic reading devices, and gaming devices.

First Embodiment

Firstly, a mobile phone 1, which is an example of the electronic deviceaccording to the first embodiment, will be explained with reference toFIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mobile phone1. FIG. 2 is a front view of the mobile phone 1. FIG. 3 is a back viewof the mobile phone 1. FIG. 4 is a top view of the mobile phone 1. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the mobile phone 1 includes asubstantially hexahedral housing 20 in which two surfaces thereof arelarger than the other surfaces thereof. the mobile phone 1 includes, onthe surface of the housing 20, a touch panel 2 that includes a touchsensor 2A and a first display unit 2B (also referred to a “display unit2B”); an input unit 3; a receiver 7 (also referred to a “first receiver7”); a microphone 8 (also referred to a “first microphone 8”); a seconddisplay unit 12; and a light emitting unit 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the mobile phone 1 has the touch panel 2, theinput unit 3, the receiver 7, and the microphone 8 on a front surface 1A(first surface), which is one of the largest surfaces of the housing 20.The touch panel 2 occupies almost the entire area of the front surface1A. The input unit 3 and the microphone 8 are arranged at one end in thelongitudinal direction of the front surface 1A. The receiver 7 is at theother end in the longitudinal direction of the front surface 1A. Inother words, the receiver 7 and the microphone 8 are at the differentends in the longitudinal direction, respectively. As illustrated in FIG.3, the mobile phone 1 has the second display unit 12 on a back surface1B (second surface) of the housing 20 that is opposite to the frontsurface 1A. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the mobile phone 1 has the lightemitting unit 13 on an upper surface 1C of the housing 20 that is a sidesurface between the front surface 1A and the back surface 1B andadjacent to the end (short side) of the front surface 1A on which thereceiver 7 is arranged. Because the housing 20 is single box shaped,each of the touch panel 2 (the first display unit 2B), the seconddisplay unit 12, the light emitting unit 13, etc., is always exposed,i.e., unhidden in the housing 20.

The touch panel 2 is provided on the front surface 1A. The touch panel 2displays texts, figures, images, etc., thereon and detects variousoperations made on the touch panel 2 with a finger, a stylus, a pen,etc., (in the description herein below, for the sake of simplicity, itis assumed that the user touches the touch panel 2 and the touch sensor4 with his/her finger(s)). The touch panel 2 can use any method todetect various operations, such as a pressure sensitive type detectionmethod and a capacitive type detection method. The input unit 3 includesa plurality of buttons, such as buttons 3A, 3B, 3C, etc., that areassigned with predetermined functions.

Then, the functional configuration of the mobile phone 1 will beexplained with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of themobile phone 1. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the mobile phone 1 includesthe touch panel 2, the input unit 3, a power supply unit 5, acommunication unit 6, the receiver 7, the microphone 8, a storage unit9, a control unit 10, a random access memory (RAM) 11, the seconddisplay unit 12, the light emitting unit 13, and an attitude detectingunit 14. With the present embodiment, the first display unit 2Bfunctions as a display unit, and at least one of the second display unit12 and the light emitting unit 13 functions as a notification unit. Withthe present embodiment, the touch sensor 2A and the input unit 3function as an operating unit.

The touch panel 2 includes the first display unit 2B and the touchsensor 2A that is imposed on the first display unit 2B. The touch sensor2A detects an operation made on the touch panel 2 with a finger as wellas the position on the touch panel 2 at which the operation is made andsends them to the control unit 10. Operations detected by the touchsensor 2A include tap operations and sweep operations. The first displayunit 2B is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organicelectro-luminescence display (OELD), etc. The first display unit 2Bdisplays texts, figures, etc., thereon.

The input unit 3 receives a user operation via physical buttons, etc.,and sends a signal to the control unit 10 in accordance with thereceived operation. The power supply unit 5 supplies an electric powerthat is received from a battery or an external power supply to eachfunctional unit of the mobile phone 1 including the control unit 10.

The communication unit 6 establishes a wireless signal path based on acode-division multiple access (CDMA) system, or any other wirelesscommunication protocols, between the mobile phone 1 and a base stationvia a channel assigned thereto by the base station and makes telephonecommunications and information communications with the base station. Anyother wired or wireless communication or network interfaces, e.g., LAN,Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC (Near Field Communication) may also be included inlieu of or in addition to the communication unit 6. The receiver 7outputs a sound signal received from the control unit 10 as a sound. Themicrophone 8 converts a voice of a user, etc., into a sound signal andsends the sound signal to the control unit 10.

The storage unit 9 includes one or more non-transitory storage medium,for example, a nonvolatile memory (such as ROM, EPROM, flash card etc.)and/or a storage device (such as magnetic storage device, opticalstorage device, solid-state storage device etc.). The storage unit 9stores therein programs and data that are used when the control unit 10performs processes. Programs stored in the storage unit 9 include a mailprogram 9A, a browser program 9B, a notice control program 9C, and anattitude detecting program 9D. Data stored in the storage unit 9includes definition data 9E. The storage unit 9 also stores thereinoperating system programs, which realize basic functions of the mobilephone 1, some other programs and data, such as address-book data. Thestorage unit 9 can be configured to be a combination of a portablestorage medium, such as a memory card and an optical disc, and astorage-medium reading device.

The mail program 9A provides a function to realize an e-mail function.The browser program 9B provides a function to realize a WEB browsingfunction. The notice control program 9C provides a function to realizeboth a function of giving a notice of an event occurred by a function ofany other programs, etc., through screen display or some other means anda function of controlling the display on the first display unit 2B andthe second display unit 12. The attitude detecting program 9D provides afunction to realize a process of detecting the attitude of the housing20 by processing a detected result of the attitude detecting unit 14.The definition data 9E stores a definition that relates to a processperformed by a function that is realized by processing the noticecontrol program 9C in accordance with the detected result of theattitude of the housing 20 that is detected by a function that isrealized by processing the attitude detecting program 9D.

The control unit 10 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU).The control unit 10 realizes various functions by integrally controllingthe operations of the mobile phone 1. More particularly, the controlunit 10 executes instructions that are included in program(s) stored inthe storage unit 9 by referring to data that is stored in the storageunit 9 and data that is loaded on the RAM 11 as appropriately and thenrealizes various functions by controlling the display unit 2B, thecommunication unit 6, etc. Programs executed by the control unit 10 anddata referred to can be downloaded from a server via wirelesscommunications by using the communication unit 6.

The control unit 10 realizes the e-mail function by executing, forexample, the mail program 9A. Moreover, the control unit 10 realizes, byexecuting the notice control program 9C, the function of giving a noticeof an event occurred by a function of any other program, etc., throughscreen display or some other means and the function of controlling thedisplay on the first display unit 2B and the second display unit 12.Moreover, the control unit 10 realizes, by executing the attitudedetecting program 9D, the function of detecting the attitude of thehousing 20 based on a detected result of the attitude detecting unit 14.The control unit 10 can perform several programs in parallel by amulti-task function provided by the operating system program.

The RAM 11 is used as a storage area that temporarily stores thereininstructions of programs executed by the control unit 10, data to whichthe control unit 10 refers, calculation results of the control unit 10,etc.

The second display unit 12 is a display device that is arranged on theback surface 1B to display an image thereon. In other words, the seconddisplay unit 12 is arranged on the second surface, which is opposite tothe first surface on which the touch panel 2 (the first display unit 2B)is arranged. The second display unit 12 is, for example, a LCD, an OELD,etc. The second display unit 12 displays texts, figures, etc., thereon.The screen display area of the second display unit 12 may be smallerthan the screen display area of the first display unit 2B of the touchpanel 2. The second display unit 12 can have the touch panel function inthe same manner as the first display unit 2B.

The light emitting unit 13 includes a light emitting element that isarranged on the upper surface 1C. Light emitting elements, such as alight emitting diode (LED) and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED),can be used. It is possible to switch the light emitting unit 13 to ONand OFF. The light emitting unit 13 emits predetermined light. The lightemitting unit 13 is preferably capable of emitting various types oflight with different wavelengths or different colors and the color ofemitted light is preferably switchable.

The attitude detecting unit 14 is a detector that detects the attitudeof the mobile phone 1, more particularly, the attitude (orientation) ofthe housing 20. Detectors that detect the attitude in various mannerscan be used as the attitude detecting unit 14, for example, a detectorthat detects the attitude using an acceleration sensor (morespecifically, triaxial acceleration sensor), a detector that detects theattitude using a gyrosensor (more specifically, triaxial gyrosensor), adetector that detects the attitude using a combination of triaxial gyroand a triaxial acceleration sensor. If an acceleration sensor is used asthe attitude detecting unit 14; the acceleration sensor is fixed at apredetermined position of the housing 20, the direction in accelerationof gravity, i.e., the vertical direction is calculated from the detectedresult of the acceleration sensor, and the orientation of the housing 20is detected on the basis of the relation between the orientation atwhich the acceleration sensor is fixed and the direction of theacceleration of gravity. The attitude detecting unit 14 detects theattitude of the mobile phone 1 and sends a detected result to thecontrol unit 10. The attitude detecting unit 14 may be configured tosend, when a change in the attitude of the mobile phone 1 is detected,information about the change to the control unit 10, or may beconfigured to detect the attitude at predetermined intervals and sendinformation indicative of the detected attitude to the control unit 10.Alternatively, the attitude detecting unit 14 may be configured to, whenreceiving from the control unit 10 an instruction to detect informationindicative of the attitude, detect information indicative of theattitude and then send the detected result to the control unit 10.

Then, an example of control performed by the control unit 10 will beexplained with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, in which the control isperformed in accordance with the orientation of the housing 20 that isdetected by the attitude detecting unit 14, more specifically, theorientation of the touch panel 2 (the first display unit 2B). FIGS. 6 to8 are flowcharts of operations of the mobile phone. The processingprocedures illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 are performed repeatedly based onthe functions provided by the notice control program 9C and the attitudedetecting program 9D.

A basic control executed by the control unit 10 will be explained withreference to FIG. 6. The control unit 10 of the mobile phone 1 performsattitude detection (Step S12). In other words, the control unit 10detects the attitude of the housing 20 by using the attitude detectingunit 14. When the attitude is detected at Step S12, the control unit 10determines whether the touch panel faces upward in the verticaldirection (Step S14). When the front surface 1A faces upward in thevertical direction with reference to the orientation of the housing 20,the control unit 10 determines that the touch panel 2 faces upward inthe vertical direction (first attitude). When the front surface 1A facesdownward in the vertical direction, the control unit 10 determines thatthe touch panel 2 faces downward in the vertical direction (secondattitude). The state in which the front surface 1A faces upward in thevertical direction indicates that, when the housing 20 is viewed fromthe above in the vertical direction, at least a part of the frontsurface 1A is in view. The state in which the front surface 1A facesdownward in the vertical direction indicates that, when the housing 20is viewed from the above in the vertical direction, at least a part ofthe back surface 1B is in view. In the present embodiment, the state inwhich the front surface 1A is parallel to the vertical direction isincluded in the state in which the front surface 1A faces upward in thevertical direction. In other words, the state in which the surface ofthe touch panel 2 is parallel to the vertical direction is included inthe state in which the touch panel 2 faces upward in the verticaldirection (first attitude).

When it is determined that the touch panel 2 faces upward in thevertical direction (first attitude) (“Yes” at Step S14), the controlunit 10 sets the touch panel 2 able to light up and sets the seconddisplay unit 12 for lights-out (Step S16). In other words, when theattitude detecting unit 14 detects the first attitude, the control unit10 enables displaying on the touch panel 2 (display unit) and preventsthe second display unit 12 (notification unit) from giving anotification. Setting the touch panel 2 able to light up indicates thatwhen an event or the like occurs, an image is displayed on the touchpanel 2 and, even when it is in an image undisplay mode, such as astandby mode, the light of the touch panel 2 is switched ON ifnecessary. In other words, when an event to display an image on thetouch panel 2 occurs, the image is displayed. Setting the second displayunit 12 for lights-out indicates that, even when an event occurs, theimage is not displayed on the second display unit 12.

When it is determined that the touch panel 2 does not face upward in thevertical direction or the touch panel 2 faces downward in the verticaldirection (second attitude) (“No” at Step S14), the control unit 10 setsthe touch panel 2 for lights-out and sets the second display unit 12able to light up (Step S18). In other words, when the attitude detectingunit 14 detects the second attitude, the control unit 10 enables thesecond display unit 12 (notification unit) to give a notification andprevents displaying on the touch panel 2 (display unit). Setting thetouch panel 2 for lights-out indicates that, even when an event occurs,the image is not displayed on the touch panel 2. Setting the seconddisplay unit 12 able to light up indicated that, when an event or thelike occurs, the image is displayed on the second display unit 12 andeven it is in an image undisplay mode, such as a standby mode, the lightof the second display unit 12 is switched ON if necessary. In otherwords, when an event to display an image on the second display unit 12occurs, the image is displayed. When the control unit 10 performs thesetting-up indicated by Step S16 or Step S18, the present process iscompleted.

As described above, the mobile phone 1 (electronic device) according tothe present embodiment includes the housing 20; the first display unit2B (display unit) that is arranged on the front surface 1A (firstsurface) of the housing 20, always exposed; the second display unit 12(notification unit) or the light emitting unit 13 (notification unit)that is arranged on a surface of the housing 20 that is different fromthe front surface 1A, i.e., the back surface 1B or the upper surface 1C(second surface) and that gives a visual notification; the attitudedetecting unit 14 that can detect whether the attitude of the housing 20is the first attitude, in which the front surface 1A faces upward in thevertical direction, or the second attitude, in which the front surface1A faces downward in the vertical direction; and the control unit 10that, when the second attitude is detected by the attitude detectingunit 14, prevents displaying on the first display unit 2B and enablesthe second display unit 12 or the light emitting unit 13 to give anotification. It is allowable to configure the control unit 10 to, whenthe first attitude is detected by the attitude detecting unit 14, enabledisplaying on the first display unit 2B and prevents the second displayunit 12 or the light emitting unit 13 from giving a notification.Moreover it is allowable to configure the control unit 10 to, when anevent to display information on the first display unit 2B occurs whilethe attitude detecting unit 14 is detecting the second attitude, causethe second display unit 12 or the light emitting unit 13 to giveinformation corresponding to the information to be displayed on thefirst display unit 2B.

Because the setting process is performed as illustrated in FIG. 6, when,for example, an event occurs in a situation where the settings indicatedby Step S16 are done, the control unit 10 displays informationindicative of the content of the event on the touch panel 2. When anevent occurs in a situation where the settings indicated by Step S18 aredone, the control unit 10 displays information indicative of the contentof the event on the second display unit 12. If the touch panel 2 facesupward in the vertical direction, the control unit 10 displays an imageon the touch panel 2. If the touch panel 2 faces downward in thevertical direction, the control unit 10 displays an image on the seconddisplay unit 12.

As described above, the mobile phone 1 switches, depending on theorientation of the housing 20 detected by the attitude detecting unit14, more specifically, the orientation of the touch panel 2, between amode in which the touch panel 2 is displayable and a mode in which thesecond display unit 12 is displayable; therefore, an image is displayedon an appropriate display unit to let the user know about information.With this configuration, for example, even when the mobile phone 1 isplaced on a table with the touch panel 2 facing down, i.e., with thetouch panel 2 facing the table, the mobile phone 1 can displayinformation about the event on the second display unit 12 and can givethe user a notification of the type of the event occurred.

Moreover, when the touch panel 2 faces upward in the vertical direction(first attitude) so that the user can check the touch panel 2, themobile phone 1 sets the second display unit 12 for lights-out. When thetouch panel 2 faces downward in the vertical direction (secondattitude), the mobile phone 1 sets the touch panel 2 for lights-out.Either display unit is set for lights-out depending on the attitude ofthe touch panel 2 so that either display unit that the user will not seeis stopped. With this configuration, the power consumed by the mobilephone 1 is reduced. Moreover, when the touch panel 2 faces downward inthe vertical direction (second attitude), because the touch panel 2 isset for lights-out, the possibility that anyone else reads the contentof the event is reduced. The display area of the second display unit 12can be smaller than the display area of the first display unit 2B. Withthis configuration, when the touch panel 2 (the first display unit 2B)faces downward in the vertical direction (second attitude), informationabout an event is displayed on the second display unit 12. Because thedisplay area of the second display unit 12 is smaller than the displayarea of the first display unit 2B, the possibility that anyone elsereads the content of the event is reduced.

When an event to display information on the first display unit 2B of thetouch panel 2 occurs while the attitude detecting unit 14 is detectingthe second attitude, the control unit 10 may display an icon on thesecond display unit 12 in accordance with the information to bedisplayed on the first display unit 2B. In other words, the control unit10 may not display the content of the event on the second display unit12 but display, as information about the event, only the type of theevent, for example, information indicating whether the event is anincoming mail, an alarm, or an incoming call. With this configuration,even when an event occurs with the touch panel 2 facing down, the usercan prevent anyone else from knowing the content of the event, forexample, who is calling, whether the event is an incoming mail, and whatis scheduled at the time.

Although the mobile phone 1 can certainly reduce the consumed power bysetting the second display unit 12 for lights-out when it is in thefirst attitude, in the same manner as the process illustrated in FIG. 6,the configuration is not limited thereto. The mobile phone 1 can alwaysset the second display unit 12 able to light up.

Although, as illustrated in the process of FIG. 6, the mobile phone 1can certainly reduce the consumed power by setting the touch panel 2 forlights-out when the second attitude is detected, the configuration isnot limited thereto. It is only necessary for the mobile phone 1 toprevent, when the second attitude is detected, displaying on the touchpanel 2. It is allowable, for example, to set the touch panel 2 in sucha manner that the panel lights up with no image appearing thereon or todecrease the light-up time to a value shorter than the light-up timewhen the first attitude is detected (i.e., shift to a stand-by modeimmediately to stop displaying of images).

Then, control performed by the control unit 10 at occurrence of an eventof an incoming mail will be explained with reference to FIG. 7. An eventof an incoming mail is output from the mail function when the controlunit 10 performs the process of the mail program 9A, thereby realizingthe mail function.

The control unit 10 of the mobile phone 1 receives a mail (Step S20).When a mail is received at Step S20, the control unit 10 performsattitude detection (Step S22). In other words, the control unit 10detects the attitude of the housing 20 by using the attitude detectingunit 14. When the attitude is detected at Step S22, the control unit 10determines whether the touch panel 2 faces upward in the verticaldirection (Step S24).

When it is determined at Step S24 that the touch panel 2 faces upward inthe vertical direction (first attitude) (“Yes” at Step S24), the controlunit 10 displays a notice on the touch panel 2 (Step S26). In otherwords, the control unit 10 displays information about an eventindicating that a mail has been received on the touch panel 2 to let theuser know that a mail has been received. Depending on the settings, thecontrol unit 10 displays, on the touch panel 2, not only a notice that amail has been received but also information about the sender, the title,and part or all of the main text. When a notice is displayed at StepS26, the control unit 10 detects an operation by using the touch panel 2and the input unit 3 (Step S28). In other words, the control unit 10detects an input operation made either on the touch panel 2 or with theinput unit 3. When an operation is detected at Step S28, the controlunit 10 determines whether the operation detected at Step S28 is adisplay operation (Step S30). A display operation is an operation todisplay the content of the mail that is received at Step S20, such as(all of) the main text. When the control unit 10 determines that nodisplay operation is detected (“No” at Step S30), the process controlgoes to Step S28. The control unit 10 repeats the processes of Steps S28and S30 until a display operation is detected at Step S30. When thecontrol unit 10 determines that a display operation is detected (“Yes”at Step S30), the process control goes to Step S38.

When it is determined that the touch panel 2 does not face upward in thevertical direction, i.e., the touch panel 2 faces downward in thevertical direction (second attitude) (“No” at Step S24), the controlunit 10 displays a notice on the second display unit 12 (Step S32). Inother words, the control unit 10 displays information about an eventindicating that a mail has been received on the second display unit 12to let the user know that a mail has been received. The control unit 10displays, on the second display unit 12, only information indicatingthat a mail has been received, for example, an icon indicating thatthere is an incoming mail. When a notice is displayed at Step S32, thecontrol unit 10 performs attitude detection (Step S34). When theattitude is detected at Step S34, the control unit 10 determines at StepS36 whether the touch panel 2 faces upward in the vertical direction.When the control unit 10 determines that the touch panel 2 does not faceupward in the vertical direction (first attitude), i.e., it maintainsthe second attitude (“No” at Step S36), the process control goes to StepS34. The control unit 10 repeats the processes Steps S34 and S36 untilit determines the first attitude at Step S36, i.e., the mobile phone 1is shifted from the second attitude to the first attitude. When thecontrol unit 10 determines that the touch panel 2 faces upward in thevertical direction (first attitude) (“Yes” at Step S36), the processcontrol goes to Step S38.

When the determination at Step S30 or Step S36 is positive, the controlunit 10 displays the content on the touch panel 2 and switches the lightof the second display unit 12 OFF (Step S38). In other words, thecontrol unit 10 displays the content of the mail that is received atStep S20 on the touch panel 2 and, if the light of the second displayunit 12 is ON, switches the light OFF. In other words, when an event todisplay information on the touch panel 2 (display unit) occurs while theattitude detecting unit 14 is detecting the second attitude, and thenthe attitude detecting unit 14 detects a shift to the first attitude,the control unit 10 displays the content of the event on the touch panel2 (display unit). Moreover, the control unit 10 prevents the seconddisplay unit 12 (notification unit), which displays information about anevent thereon, from giving a notification. When the control unit 10performs the process of Step S38, the present process is completed.

Because the mobile phone 1 switches, depending on the orientation of thetouch panel 2 at occurrence of an incoming mail, units to give a noticethat a mail has been received, i.e., to give a notification of theevent, the mobile phone 1 can make a notification through a unit that iseasy for the user to check. Moreover, when the touch panel 2 facesdownward in the vertical direction (second attitude), because a noticeis given through the second display unit 12 indicative of onlyoccurrence of an event of an incoming mail, anyone else cannot read thecontent of the event, for example, the sender, the title, all or part ofthe main text.

When an event to display information on the touch panel 2 (display unit)occurs while the attitude detecting unit 14 is detecting the secondattitude and then the attitude detecting unit 14 detects a shift to thefirst attitude, the mobile phone 1 displays the content of the event onthe touch panel 2 (display unit). Thus, just by changing the attitude ofthe housing 20, more specifically, just by changing the touch panel 2 tothe first attitude, the user can cause the mobile phone 1 to display thecontent of the mail. Therefore, various input operations made on thetouch panel 2 or with the input unit 3 are not needed to display thecontent of the mail and easy operation is enabled.

Then, an example of the operation of the mobile phone 1 will beexplained with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is an example of a processthat is performed after the determination at Step S36 of FIG. 7 ispositive and before the process of Step S38 is performed. FIG. 8 is anexample of the operation when the control unit 10 performs a displaylock process and an unlock process. The process illustrated in FIG. 8 isperformed when the determination made by the control unit 10 at Step S36is positive.

First, the control unit 10 displays a lock screen on the touch panel 2(Step S40). The lock screen is a screen indicating that the screen islocked. The lock screen can include a message displayed thereon such as“please enter an unlock operation” or “please enter a password” to letthe user know that it is necessary to enter an unlock operation todisplay the content of a mail.

When the lock screen is displayed at Step S40, the control unit 10 triesto detect an operation by using the touch panel 2 and the input unit 3(Step S42). In other words, the control unit 10 tries to detect an inputoperation made either on the touch panel 2 or with the input unit 3.When an operation is tried to detect at Step S42, the control unit 10determines at Step S44 whether an operation is found, i.e., an operationmade either on the touch panel 2 or with the input unit 3 is detected.If the control unit 10 determines that no operation is found (“No” atStep S44), the process control goes to Step S42. In other words, thecontrol unit 10 repeats the processes of Steps S42 and S44 until anoperation is detected at Step S42.

If an operation is found (“Yes” at Step S44), the control unit 10determines whether the operation detected at Step S42 is an unlockoperation (Step S46). An unlock operation is an operation assigned withan unlock process by the user's settings or the default settings. Whenit is determined at Step S46 that the operation is not an unlockoperation (“No” at Step S46), the control unit 10 determines theoperation is invalid, i.e., the detected operation is invalid andassumes that no operation is received (Step S48). When the operation isdetermined to be invalid at Step S48, the control unit 10 gives a noticeof an invalid operation, for example, displays on the touch panel 2 amessage that the operation is not an unlock operation (Step S50). Whenthe control unit 10 performs the process of Step S50, the processcontrol goes to Step S42.

When the operation is determined to be an unlock operation (“Yes” atStep S46), the control unit 10 unlocks the screen, i.e., sets the touchpanel 2 able to display the content of a mail (Step S52), and thepresent process is completed. When the control unit 10 performs theprocess of FIG. 8, the process control goes to Step S38.

In other words, when an event to display information on the firstdisplay unit 2B occurs while the attitude detecting unit 14 is detectingthe second attitude and then the attitude detecting unit 14 detects ashift to the first attitude, the control unit 10 displays a notice forrequesting unlock on the first display unit 2B. When an unlock operationmade on the touch panel 2 or with the operating unit of the input unit 3is detected, the control unit 10 displays the content of the event onthe first display unit 2B.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, when an event to display information on thetouch panel 2 (display unit) occurs while the attitude detecting unit 14is detecting the second attitude and then the attitude detecting unit 14detects a shift to the first attitude, the mobile phone 1 performs thescreen lock process and then prevents displaying the content of an eventon the touch panel 2 until an unlock operation is received; therefore,even when anyone else who recognizes occurrence of an event shifts themobile phone 1 to the first attitude, he/she cannot read the content ofthe event (the content of the mail) easily. Therefore, the possibilityof that anyone else accidentally reads the content of the event isreduced certainly.

Although the mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment includes the firstdisplay unit 2B and the second display unit 12 and it selects, dependingon the detected result of the attitude detecting unit 14, either thefirst display unit 2B or the second display unit 12 and then displays animage on the selected display unit, the configuration is not limitedthereto. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, when an event todisplay information on the touch panel 2 (display unit) occurs while theattitude detecting unit 14 is detecting the second attitude and then theattitude detecting unit 14 detects a shift to the first attitude, thescreen lock process is performed and then displaying the content of theevent is prevented until an unlock operation is received. This processcan be used regardless whether the second display unit 12 is present. Inother words, it is allowable to configure the mobile phone 1 without thesecond display unit 12 and to perform the processes illustrated in FIGS.7 and 8. With this configuration, when an event occurs while the touchpanel 2 faces down, even if someone else shifts the mobile phone 1 tothe first attitude, he/she cannot read the content of the event (thecontents of the mail) easily. Regarding the process that is performedafter the process at Step S30 illustrated in FIG. 7 is determined to bepositive and is performed before the process control goes to Step S38,it is allowable to skip the process illustrated in FIG. 8. It is assumedthat placing the mobile phone 1 in the first attitude indicates that theuser is less cautious about someone else who reads the content of anevent as compared with placing the mobile phone 1 in the secondattitude. Therefore, by skipping the unlock operation illustrated inFIG. 8, the operability will be improved.

Then, an example of the operation of the mobile phone 1 will beexplained with reference to FIG. 9. The process illustrated in FIG. 9 isperformed when the mobile phone 1 is in the first attitude and the lightof the touch panel 2 is ON.

The control unit 10 displays the content on the touch panel 2 andswitches the light of the second display unit 12 OFF (Step S60). Inother words, the control unit 10 displays the content on the touch panel2 by a function that is realized by processing various programs andswitches the light of the second display unit 12 OFF. When an inputoperation is made on the touch panel 2 or with the input unit 3, thecontrol unit 10 switches the content to be displayed on the touch panel2 in accordance the input operation.

When, at Step S60, the content is displayed on the touch panel 2 and thelight of the second display unit 12 is switched OFF, the control unit 10performs attitude detection (Step S62). When the attitude is detected atStep S62, the control unit 10 determines whether the touch panel 2 facesdownward in the vertical direction (Step S64). When the control unit 10determines at Step S64 that the touch panel 2 does not face downward inthe vertical direction (second attitude), i.e., it maintains the firstattitude (“No” at Step S64), the process control goes to Step S62. Asdescribed above, the control unit 10 repeats the processes of Steps S62and S64 until the second attitude is determined at Step S64, i.e., themobile phone 1 shifts from the first attitude to the second attitude.

When it is determined that the touch panel 2 faces downward in thevertical direction (second attitude) (“Yes” at Step S64), i.e., it isshifted from the first attitude to the second attitude, the control unit10 displays a notice on the second display unit 12 and switches thelight of the touch panel 2 OFF (Step S66). The notice that is displayedon the second display unit 12 is, for example, an icon indicative of thetype of an activating program, and an image indicative of completion ofdisplay. It is allowable to configure the control unit 10 to stop theprogram-processing and realizing function and displays a notice thereofat Step S66. When the control unit 10 performs the process of Step S66,the present process is completed. In other words, the control unit 10activates an application (function) while the attitude detecting unit 14is detecting the first attitude. When the attitude detecting unit 14detects a shift to the second attitude while the application is running,the control unit 10 terminates the application and switches the light ofthe first display unit 2B OFF.

When it is determined that it is shifted from the first attitude to thesecond attitude while various function are running in the firstattitude, the mobile phone 1 switches the light of the touch panel 2 OFFand displays a notice thereof on the second display unit 12; therefore,when the touch panel 2 faces down, displaying an image on the touchpanel 2 is stopped automatically. With this configuration, the consumedpower is reduced.

When it is determined that it is shifted from the first attitude to thesecond attitude while various functions are running in the firstattitude, the mobile phone 1 stops the program-processing and realizingfunction; therefore, the user can stop the function without entering acompletion operation. Therefore, it is possible to stop a runningfunction quickly and easily.

Although, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied toan electronic device that has a touch panel as a display unit, thepresent invention can be applied to an electronic device that has, as adisplay unit, a simple display panel on which no touch sensor isimposed.

Although, in the above embodiment, the second display unit 12 is used asa notification unit to give a notification instead of the touch panel 2when it is in the second attitude, it is allowable to use the lightemitting unit 13. When an event occurs, the light emitting unit 13 letsthe user visually know occurrence of the event by illumination. When anevent occurs to display an image on the touch panel 2 as a notice forthe user, the mobile phone 1 can let the user know occurrence of theevent, etc., by causing the light emitting unit 13 to emit light withoutdisplaying an image on the touch panel 2 when it is in the secondattitude.

Moreover, in the same manner as the second display unit 12 and the lightemitting unit 13, the notification unit can be arranged on any surfaceother than the surface on which the touch panel 2 is arranged (the frontsurface 1A). When the notification unit is arranged on a surface that isdifferent from the surface on which the touch panel 2 is arrange and thetouch panel 2 faces downward in the vertical direction, i.e., it is inthe second attitude, basically, the mobile phone 1 causes thenotification unit, which is in view from the above in the verticaldirection, to give a notification to let the user know occurrence of anevent, etc. Similar to the second display unit 12, the notification unitmay be arranged on the surface opposite to the surface on which thetouch panel 2 is arranged. With this arrangement, when the touch panel 2faces downward in the vertical direction or it is in the secondattitude, the notification unit is more likely to be in view from theabove in the vertical direction. Although, in the above embodiment, theattitude detecting unit 14 is an acceleration sensor or a gyrosensor,the attitude detecting unit 14 can be an ambient light sensor or aproximity sensor that is arranged on an arbitrary surface of the housing(for example, the front surface 1A, etc.). An ambient light sensordetects the attitude of the housing by the ambient light (if a surfaceon which the ambient light sensor is arranged faces upward in thevertical direction, it is bright, while the surface faces downward inthe vertical direction, it is dark). A proximity sensor can detect theattitude of the housing depending on whether an object is nearby. It isallowable to increase the accuracy of attitude detection by combiningany of an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, an accelerationsensor, and a gyrosensor.

Second Embodiment

Now, a mobile phone 101, which is an example of an electronic deviceaccording to the second embodiment, will be explained with reference toFIGS. 10 to 12. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the mobile phone 101.FIG. 11 is a front view of the mobile phone 101. FIG. 12 is a back viewof the mobile phone. The basic configuration of a mobile phone 101illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12 is almost the same as the configuration ofthe mobile phone 1 except some components. The components of the mobilephone 101 that are the same as those of the mobile phone 1 are denotedwith the same reference numbers and the detailed explanation is notrepeated. The characteristic matters of the mobile phone 101 areexplained below in detail.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, the mobile phone 101 includes thesubstantially hexahedral housing 20 in which two surfaces thereof arelarger than the other surfaces thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 11, themobile phone 101 includes, on the front surface 1A of the housing 20,the touch panel 2 that includes the touch sensor 2A and the display unit2B; the input unit 3; a shielded-state detecting unit 4; the receiver 7;and the microphone 8. The configuration of the touch panel 2, the inputunit 3, the receiver 7, and the microphone 8 is the same as theconfiguration of the respective units of the mobile phone 1. Theshielded-state detecting unit 4 is arranged at a position adjacent toone end in the longitudinal direction of the front surface 1A. Theshielded-state detecting unit 4 detects whether the display unit 2B (thetouch panel 2), which is provided on the same surface, is shielded andthen outputs a detection signal. As described later, the shielded-statedetecting unit 4 can be configured with, for example, a proximitysensor. When an object comes closer, it detects that the display unit 2Bis shielded.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the mobile phone 101. As illustrated inFIG. 13, the mobile phone 101 includes the touch panel 2, the input unit3, the shielded-state detecting unit 4, the power supply unit 5, thecommunication unit 6, the receiver (first sound output unit) 7, themicrophone (first sound input unit) 8, the storage unit 9, the controlunit 10, and the RAM 11. The touch panel 2, the input unit 3, the powersupply unit 5, the communication unit 6, the receiver (first soundoutput unit) 7, the microphone (first sound input unit) 8, the storageunit 9, the control unit 10, and the RAM (Random Access Memory) 11 arethe same as those of the mobile phone 1.

The shielded-state detecting unit 4 can be configured, for example, witha proximity sensor. A proximity sensor is a measure for measuring thedistance to an object that is in a predetermined direction. Theproximity sensor includes a transmitting unit that is arranged on thefront surface 1A of the housing 20 to transmit a measurement wave, suchas an infrared ray, an ultrasonic wave, and laser light; and a receivingunit that is arranged on the front surface 1A of the housing 20 toreceive the measurement wave. When the measurement wave emitted from thetransmitting unit is reflected from a target object, the receiving unitreceives the reflected wave. The proximity sensor calculates thedistance between the proximity sensor and the target object based on theintensity of the measurement wave received by the receiving unit, theangle of incidence of the measurement wave, the time between when thetransmitting unit transmits the measurement wave and when the receivingunit receives it. When the proximity sensor detects an object nearby,the shielded-state detecting unit 4 outputs a detection signal to thecontrol unit 10 to indicate that the display unit 2B (the touch panel 2)is shielded.

The storage unit 9 stores therein programs and data that are used whenthe control unit 10 performs processes. Programs stored in the storageunit 9 include the mail program 9A, the browser program 9B, the noticecontrol program 9C, a power control program 9F, etc. The power controlprogram 9F provides a function to realize a power control functionincluding a power saving mode.

The control unit 10 realizes, by executing the power control program 9F,the function of controlling the power supplied from the power supplyunit 5 to each unit of the mobile phone 101. If no input operation ismade on the touch panel 2 or with the input unit 3 for a predeterminedtime, the control unit 10 shifts the mobile phone 101 to a low powerconsumption mode to reduce the consumed power. During the low powerconsumption mode, the control unit 10 performs power saving control ofeach unit that includes power-saving control of the touch panel 2 (forexample, switching the light of the display unit 2B OFF and switchingthe touch sensor 2A OFF). Moreover, when no input operation is made fora predetermined time, the control unit 10 switches the shielded-statedetecting unit 4 OFF.

For example, in a state where an mobile phone 101 is inside a bag or apocket, the display unit 2B is covered by something, or the housing isplaced on a desk or the like with the front surface 1A facing down, theuser cannot see the screen of the display unit 2B (cannot operate thescreen). Suppose that, in the above situation, an event occurs duringthe low power consumption mode that is not caused by a user operation(for example, an incoming mail, an incoming voice call, an alarm, etc.),and then the low power consumption mode is set OFF and displaying on thedisplay unit 2B is perform. Although the user does not use the mobilephone 101, the low power consumption mode is set OFF; therefore, a poweris consumed wastefully. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when anevent that is not caused by a user operation occurs during the low powerconsumption mode, the control unit 10 performs control to maintain thelow power consumption mode if the shielded-state detecting unit 4detects that the display unit 2B is shielded.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example of a process performed by thecontrol unit 10 during the low power consumption mode. In FIG. 14,mobile phone 101 is in the low power consumption mode (the light of thedisplay unit 2B is OFF and the touch sensor 2A is OFF). First, thecontrol unit 10 determines whether an event occurs that is not caused bya user operation (for example, an incoming mail, an incoming voice call,an alarm, etc.) (Step S101). When an event that is not caused by a useroperation occurs (Yes at Step S101), the control unit 10 activates theshielded-state detecting unit 4 (Step S102) and causes theshielded-state detecting unit 4 to detect whether the display unit 2B isshielded (Step S103). When the shielded-state detecting unit 4 completesthe detection, the control unit 10 switches the shielded-state detectingunit 4 OFF.

When the display unit 2B is shielded (“Yes” at Step S104), the controlunit 10 maintains the low power consumption mode (keeps the light of thedisplay unit 2B OFF and keeps the touch sensor 2A OFF) and enables soundoutput of the receiver 7 and sound input of the microphone 8 (StepS105). On the other hand, when the display unit 2B is not shielded (“No”at Step S104), the control unit 10 sets the low power consumption modeOFF (switches the light of the display unit 2B ON and switches the touchsensor 2A ON) and enables sound output of the receiver 7 and sound inputof the microphone 8 (Step S106).

Although the shielded-state detecting unit 4 is arranged on the frontsurface 1A of the housing 20, the shielded-state detecting unit 4 can bearranged on the back surface 1B. If the shielded-state detecting unit 4is on the back surface 1B, when the shielded-state detecting unit 4detects no object nearby, the display unit 2B is detected to beshielded.

As described above, the mobile phone 101 according to the presentembodiment includes the housing 20; the display unit 2B that is arrangedon the first surface (front surface) 1A of the housing 20 with itssurface exposed; the shielded-state detecting unit 4 that can detectwhether the display unit 2B is shielded; and the control unit 10 thatperforms power control of the mobile phone 101 and performs the lowpower consumption mode. When an event occurs during the low powerconsumption mode that is not caused by a user operation, the controlunit 10 maintains the low power consumption mode if the shielded-statedetecting unit 4 detects that the display unit 2B is shielded.Therefore, when an event occurs while the display unit 2B is shielded(hidden), the low power consumption mode is maintained so thatwastefully consumed power is reduced.

When an event occurs during the low power consumption mode that is notcaused by a user operation, the control unit 10 activates theshielded-state detecting unit 4. Because the shielded-state detectingunit 4 is activated only when an event has occurred, the power consumedby the shielded-state detecting unit 4 is reduced.

Because the low power consumption mode includes at least the low powercontrol of the display unit 2B, it is possible to reduce a large amountof power consumed by the display unit.

Because an event that is not caused by a user operation is at least oneof an incoming voice call, an incoming mail, and an alarm, it ispossible to reduce the consumed power when an event, such as an incomingvoice call, an incoming mail, and an alarm, occurs.

If the shielded-state detecting unit 4 is arranged on the first surface(front surface) 1A of the housing 20, the display unit 2B is detected tobe shielded when an object nearby is detected; therefore, with theconfiguration in which the shielded-state detecting unit 4 is arrangedon the first surface (front surface) 1A of the housing 20, it ispossible to detect whether the display unit 2B is shielded.

If the shielded-state detecting unit 4 is arranged on the second surface(back surface) 1B of the housing, the display unit 2B is detected to beshielded when no object is detected nearby; therefore, with theconfiguration in which the shielded-state detecting unit 4 is arrangedon the second surface (back surface) 1B of the housing 20, it ispossible to detect whether the display unit 2B is shielded.

Although, in the second embodiment, a proximity sensor is used as theshielded-state detecting unit 4, it is allowable to use a light sensor(ambient light sensor) to detect whether the display unit 2B isshielded. Moreover, it is allowable to use a proximity sensor and alight sensor in a combined manner.

Third Embodiment

A mobile phone 201 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a back view of the mobilephone 201 according to the third embodiment. The configuration of thefront surface 1A of the housing 20 is the same as that in the secondembodiment (see FIGS. 10 and 11) and the explanation is not repeated. Asillustrated in FIG. 15, in the mobile phone 201, the second display unit12, a second receiver 213, and a second microphone 214 are arranged onthe back surface 1B of the housing 20, which is opposite to the frontsurface 1A. The second display unit 12 is an oblong member that extendsin a short-side direction in an upper area of the back surface 1B. Thesecond display unit 12 is smaller than the display unit 2B.

The second microphone 214 is arranged at one end of the back surface 1Bin the longitudinal direction. The second receiver 213 is arranged atthe other end of the back surface 1B in the longitudinal direction. Inother words, the second receiver 213 and the second microphone 214 arearranged at different ends in the longitudinal direction, respectively.The second display unit 12 is always exposed and cannot be hidden in thehousing 20. The area of the second display unit 12 can be equal to thearea of the display unit 2B. It is allowable to overlap a touch sensoron the second display unit 12, thereby forming a touch panel.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the mobile phone 201. The components ofFIG. 16 that have the same functions as those of FIG. 13 are denotedwith the same reference numbers and the explanations of the samecomponents are not repeated. Different matters are mainly explainedbelow. The mobile phone 201 includes not only the components of thesecond embodiment (FIG. 13) but also the second display unit 12, thesecond receiver (second sound output unit) 213, and the secondmicrophone (second sound input unit) 214. The configuration of thesecond display unit 12 is the same as the configuration of the seconddisplay unit 12 of the mobile phone 1. The second receiver 213 outputs asound signal received from the control unit 10 as a sound. The secondmicrophone 214 converts a voice of a user, etc., into a sound signal andoutputs the sound signal to the control unit 10.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an example of a process performed by thecontrol unit 10 during the low power consumption mode. The same steps ofFIG. 17 as those of FIG. 14 are denoted with the same numbers. In FIG.17, the mobile phone 201 is in the low power consumption mode (the lightof the display unit 2B is OFF and the touch sensor 2A is OFF). First,the control unit 10 determines whether an event occurs that is notcaused by a user operation (for example, an incoming mail, an incomingvoice call, an alarm, etc.) (Step S101). When an event occurs that isnot caused by a user operation (“Yes” at Step S101), the control unit 10activates the shielded-state detecting unit 4 (Step S102) and causes theshielded-state detecting unit 4 to detect whether the display unit 2B isshielded (Step S103). When it is detected that the display unit 2B isshielded (“Yes” at Step S104), the control unit 10 maintains the lowpower consumption mode (keeps the light of the display unit 2B OFF andkeeps the touch sensor 2A OFF), switches the light of the second displayunit 12 ON, enables sound output from the second receiver 213 and soundinput from the second microphone 214 (Step S111). On the other hand,when the display unit 2B is not shielded (“No” at Step S104), thecontrol unit 10 sets the low power consumption mode OFF (switches thelight of the display unit 2B ON and switches the touch sensor 2A ON),and enables sound output of the first receiver 207 and sound input ofthe first microphone 208 (Step S112).

As described above, the mobile phone 201 includes the second displayunit 12 that is arranged on the second surface (back surface) 1B of thehousing 20. When an event occurs during the low power consumption modethat is not caused by a user operation, the control unit 10 enablesdisplaying on the second display unit 12 if the shielded-state detectingunit 4 detects that the display unit 2B is shielded. There is thepossibility that the display unit 2B is out of view but the seconddisplay unit 12 is in view. If the second display unit 12 is in view,displaying on the second display unit 12 is enabled.

The mobile phone 201 further includes the first receiver 207 that isarranged on the first surface (front surface) 1A of the housing 20 andthe second receiver 213 that is arranged on the second surface (backsurface) 1B of the housing 20. When an event occurs during the low powerconsumption mode that is not caused by a user operation, the controlunit 10 prevents sound output from the first receiver 207 and enablessound output from the second receiver 213 if the shielded-statedetecting unit 4 detects that the display unit 2B is shielded. There isthe possibility that the display unit 2B is out of view but the seconddisplay unit 12 is in view. If the second display unit 12 is in view,sound output from the back surface is enabled.

Fourth Embodiment

A mobile phone 301 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19according to the fourth embodiment. The outer configuration of themobile phone 301 of the fourth embodiment is the same as the outerconfiguration of the mobile phone 201. FIG. 18 is a block diagram of themobile phone 301 according to the fourth embodiment. The components ofFIG. 18 that have the same functions as those of FIG. 16 are denotedwith the same reference numbers and the explanations of the samecomponents are not repeated. Different matters are mainly explainedbelow.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the mobile phone 301 includes not only thecomponents of the third embodiment (FIG. 16) but also the attitudedetecting unit 14. The configuration of the attitude detecting unit 14is the same as the configuration of the attitude detecting unit 14 ofthe mobile phone 1. The attitude detecting unit 14 detects whether thefront surface 1A of the housing 20 faces upward in the verticaldirection, i.e., it is in the first attitude or the front surface 1Afaces downward in the vertical direction, i.e., it is in the secondattitude and outputs the detected result to the control unit 10. Inother words, it is detected whether the front surface 1A of the housing20 faces up or down. The attitude detecting unit 14 detects the attitudeof the mobile phone 301 and sends the detected result to the controlunit 10. When an event occurs during the power saving mode that is notcaused by a user operation, the control unit 10 activates the attitudedetecting unit 14 and causes the attitude detecting unit 14 to detectthe attitude of the mobile phone 301.

FIG. 19 a flowchart of an example of a process performed by the controlunit 10 during the low power consumption mode. The same steps of FIG. 19as those of FIG. 17 are denoted with the same numbers. In FIG. 19, themobile phone 301 is in the low power consumption mode (the light of thedisplay unit 2B is OFF and the touch sensor 2A is OFF). First, thecontrol unit 10 determines whether an event occurs that is not caused bya user operation (for example, an incoming mail, an incoming voice call,an alarm, etc.) (Step S101). When an event occurs that is not caused bya user operation (“Yes” at Step S101), the control unit 10 activates theshielded-state detecting unit 4 (Step S102) and causes theshielded-state detecting unit 4 to detect whether the display unit 2B isshielded (Step S103). When it is detected that the display unit 2B isnot shielded (“No” at Step S104), the control unit 10 sets the low powerconsumption mode OFF (switches the light of the display unit 2B ON andswitches the touch sensor 2A ON), enables sound output of the firstreceiver 207, and enables sound input of the first microphone 208 (StepS126).

On the other hand, when it is detected that the display unit 2B isshielded (“Yes” at Step S104), the control unit 10 activates theattitude detecting unit 14 and causes the attitude detecting unit 14 todetect the attitude of the mobile phone 301 (Step S122). When theattitude detecting unit 14 completes the detection, the control unit 10switches the attitude detecting unit 14 OFF. When it is detected thatthe attitude is the first attitude (the front surface 1A of the housing20 faces upward in the vertical direction), the control unit 10maintains the low power consumption mode (keeps the light of the displayunit 2B OFF and keeps the touch sensor 2A OFF), and increase the volumeof the first receiver 207 to a level larger than a set level (StepS125). On the other hand, when it is in the second attitude (the frontsurface 1A of the housing 20 faces downward in the vertical direction),the control unit 10 maintains the low power consumption mode (keeps thelight of the display unit 2B OFF and keeps the touch sensor 2A OFF),prevents sound input from the first microphone 208, and enables soundinput from the second microphone 214 (Step S124).

As described above, the mobile phone 301 includes the attitude detectingunit 14 that can detect whether the attitude is the first attitude, inwhich the first surface (front surface) 1A of the housing 20 facesupward in the vertical direction, or the second attitude, in which thefirst surface (front surface) 1A faces downward in the verticaldirection. When an event occurs during the low power consumption modethat is not caused by a user operation, the control unit 10 increasesthe volume of the first receiver 207 to a level larger than a set levelif the shielded-state detecting unit 4 detects that the display unit 2Bis shielded and the attitude detecting unit 14 detects the firstattitude. When the shielded display unit 2B faces up (for example, whena sheet is placed on the display unit 2B, or when the mobile phone 301is inside a bag or a pocket), because the volume of the first receiver207 is increased, the user is more likely to notice that the event hasoccurred.

The mobile phone 301 further includes the first microphone 208 that isarranged on the first surface (front surface) 1A of the housing 20 andthe second microphone 214 that is arranged on the second surface (backsurface) 1B of the housing 20. When an event occurs during the low powerconsumption mode that is not caused by a user operation, the controlunit 10 prevents sound input from the first microphone 208 and enablessound input from the second microphone 214 if the shielded-statedetecting unit 4 detects that the display unit 2B is shielded and theattitude detecting unit 14 detects the second attitude. Therefore, whenthe second display unit 12 faces up, sound input from the secondmicrophone 214 is enabled.

The first to the fourth embodiments can be implemented solely or in acombined manner. The apparatuses, the methods, and the programs of thepresent invention according to the first to the fourth embodiments donot restrict the scope of the present invention indicated by the claims.They are merely examples of selected embodiments of the presentinvention. They merely indicate selected embodiments of the apparatusand the method that are consistent the present invention indicated bythe claims. A person skilled in the art can make the present inventionwithout one or more specified items by using another method, anothercomponent, another module, or another material. A person skilled in theart can change the order of the steps of the processes illustrated inthe flowcharts, delete a step, or add a new step.

Although, in the above embodiments, the present invention is applied toan electronic device that has a touch panel as a display unit, thepresent invention can be applied to an electronic device that has asimple display panel with no touch sensor imposed thereon. Although,during the low power consumption mode, at least a power saving controlover the touch panel 2 is performed, it is allowable to switch the lightof various lamps, keys, etc., OFF. The low power consumption mode canhave two or more states with different consumption powers.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a firstsurface; a display unit arranged on the first surface; a shielded-statedetecting unit configured to detect whether the display unit isshielded; and a control unit configured to, when an event other than achange in a shielded state of the display unit occurs during a low powerconsumption mode, cause the shielded-state detecting unit to detectwhether the display unit is shielded, maintain the low power consumptionmode when the shielded-state detecting unit detects that the displayunit is shielded, and set the low power consumption mode off when theshielded-state detecting unit detects that the display unit is notshielded.
 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a second surface; and a notification unit arranged on thesecond surface, wherein when the event occurs during the low powerconsumption mode, the control unit is configured to output anotification to the notification unit when the shielded-state detectingunit detects that the display unit is shielded.
 3. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein, when the event occurs during the lowpower consumption mode, the control unit is configured to activate theshielded-state detecting unit.
 4. The electronic device according toclaim 1, wherein the event is at least one of an incoming voice call, anincoming mail, and an alarm.
 5. The electronic device according to claim1, wherein the shielded-state detecting unit is arranged on the firstsurface, and configured to detect that the display unit is shielded whenany object is detected nearby.
 6. The electronic device according toclaim 5, further comprising: a second surface opposite to the firstsurface; and a notification unit arranged on the second surface, whereinwhen the event occurs during the low power consumption mode, the controlunit is configured to output a notification to the notification unitwhen the shielded-state detecting unit detects that the display unit isshielded.
 7. An electronic device, comprising: a first surface; adisplay unit arranged on the first surface; a shielded-state detectingunit configured to detect whether the display unit is shielded; and acontrol unit configured to, when an event other than a change in ashielded state of the display unit occurs during a low power consumptionmode, cause the shielded-state detecting unit to detect whether thedisplay unit is shielded, set the low power consumption mode off whenthe shielded-state detecting unit detects that the display unit is notshielded, and not set the low power consumption mode off when theshielded-state detecting unit detects that the display unit is shielded.